Is petroleum jelly suitable for cuts and wounds?

Petroleum jelly aka Vaseline is a versatile product that has innumerable health, beauty and skin care uses. For minor cuts and burns, application of vaseline is recommended to protect the skin and lock in the moisture. Even the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends the use of petroleum jelly for wound care!

According to AAD, application of petroleum jelly after washing the area with soap & water, prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab and also helps prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.

But does application of petroleum jelly to a cut really help?

According to new study, applying petroleum jelly to a cut could actually prove to be harmful.

Researchers claim that using petroleum jelly damages the 'natural plaster', or protective film, your body creates over a wound. This slows the healing process, and it may even open the wound up to infection.

'If you get a cut, it is best to let it clot for half an hour', say the researchers.

'After that, it might not be so bad to add petroleum jelly, but before then, from our findings, it appears to damage this film', the researchers add.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the complete disclosure policy to know more.

More info on this natural plaster created to protect wounds from infection.

Scientists have found that a protein film forms rapidly over a wound as part of the natural clotting process, and it provides protection for at least 12 hours.

They believe this bio-film gives the immune system time to marshal its defences to deal with any infection.

The researchers also observed that oil-based substances disrupted the process and warn that treating breaks in the skin with petroleum jelly, a technique used in some contact sports and following minor surgery, may increase the risk of infection.

The study, involving an international collaboration of scientists led by the University of Leeds and part-funded by the British Heart Foundation, changes scientific understanding of the mechanism of blood clotting.

Conclusion

While petroleum jelly may well be your HG beauty and skin care product, that can be used to moisturize dry skin, for chapped lips, lengthening eyelashes or to get thick eyebrows, it may not be a good idea to use it on cuts, burns or wounds, as previously thought.

By the way, did you know that you could also use petroleum jelly aka Vaseline for nostril protection when you are in dusty and smoky environments also? Read more uses of petroleum jelly in this book.

The Miracle of Petroleum Jelly: How Petroleum Jelly Can Enhance Your Health, Home Life, and Beauty (DIY Skincare, Beauty and Household Tips)

So how often do you use petroleum jelly? What other uncommon uses of Vaseline have you come across? Did you ever apply petroleum jelly when you had a wound or burn and what was your experience with it? Do share in the comments.

Comments

A Vibrant Collection of Holi Quotes to Celebrate Love, Joy, and Togetherness

Holi, the festival of colors, is more than just a celebration—it’s a beautiful reminder to embrace love, forgiveness, and the joy of life. Known as the "Festival of Colors," Holi marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. It’s a time when people come together to forget their differences, play with colors, and celebrate the beauty of life. Here’s a collection of heartfelt Holi quotes, along with insights into the festival’s significance and tips to make your celebration even more special. The Significance of Holi Holi is deeply rooted in Indian culture and mythology. It is celebrated to honor the divine love of Lord Krishna and Radha, as well as the victory of Lord Vishnu’s devotee Prahlad over the demoness Holika. The festival is a symbol of unity, joy, and the renewal of relationships. "Dipped in hues of love, trust, and joy, Holi arrives to paint our lives with the colors of togetherness. Let’s celebrate the beauty of relationships and the spirit ...

Highly Effective Indian Home remedies For Delayed Periods

Delayed periods or Irregular menstrual periods have become very common these days for a lot of women in their reproductive age and they suffer great agonies when their period does not come on time. A delay of 4-5 days may be fine but if it exceeds 8 days, then it's certainly a cause for concern. In this post, I'll be sharing highly effective Indian home remedies for your delayed periods . I'd been a long sufferer of irregular periods during my teenage to early twenties. I've tried most of the recipes here, along with Kapalabhati pranayama, yoga poses, mudras and other lifestyle habits. Now my periods are extremely regular like clockwork; not a day less or more than 28. When I look back, I'm surprised how I managed those years of anxiety and fear about my late periods.

11 things you can do with olive oil

Besides lemon , milk , sugar , aloe , turmeric , sandalwood and honey , olive oil is another household item that has multifarious uses as a beauty aid. It is a mild, non-irritant, antibacterial oil that is rich in antioxidants; hence is ideal for the skin. Here are a few things that you could do with olive oil .

Aspirin for acne-prone skin

Aspirin has been around for a long time and its health benefits are wide and varied. Aspirin , or acetylsalicylic acid is a salicylate drug, often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains , as an antipyretic to reduce fever , and as an anti-inflammatory medication. Aspirin's greatest benefit is reducing cardiovascular events including heart attacks and strokes. According to the American Heart Assoc. virtually all women are at risk of heart disease and doctors should more strongly consider prescribing a daily aspirin for their female patients. There is growing evidence to suggest regular aspirin use may reduce cancer and dementia as well. Investigators from the Women's Health Study have reported important new findings demonstrating that aspirin reduces the risk of a first stroke in women. When given to someone immediately after a heart attack, aspirin decreases death by 25%.

Kapalabhati Pranayam for wrinkle-free, radiant complexion

Did you know that Kapalabhati Pranayam / kriya can also be used to enhance your beauty and ward off skin aging? Done the right way, Kapalabhati Pranayam can be used as a beauty aid - it can give you a wrinkle-free, luminous forehead and radiant complexion. Kapalabhati For Beauty ‘Kapalabhati’ Pranayam breathing exercise is an excellent way of maintaining good health and fighting diseases. ‘Kapala’ means ‘skull’ (and ‘forehead’ also) and ‘bhati’ means ‘shining’. By doing kapalabhati, the ‘nadis’(nerves) of the brain get good exercise. This is achieved by exercising the diaphragm. There will be a glow on the forehead. After the age of 25, the tell-tale signs of ageing start making their appearance in the form of fine lines on the forehead. A regular practice of Kapalabhati for 10-15 minutes everyday will give you a tight forehead sans wrinkles for many years to come. Avoid Botox, try Kapalabhati Why resort to Botox and other expensive chemical or surgica...